The business of the library

We're very lucky that we have access to resources at Tehachapi Branch of the Kern County Library. From the obvious, books, to resources that might be unexpected, like a sewing machine, the library is there to help the community. Computers are available, as well as other reference sources.

And now, the library's programming is starting to ramp up. Storytime has moved to Thursday afternoons at 4 p.m. This is to provide a resource to children in the early stages of literacy. There is also Toddler Time, Barks and Books, and a Young Writers Group. There is also a weekly Yarn Club (Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m.) and Crafternoon will be starting this month. They are also introducing a family game day on the First Friday of each month. And don't forget that the Maker Space is getting back up and running.

And the Friends of the Library is here to help our library with extra resources to help run these programs. With much of this help coming in the form of money generated from book sales. There is always the Continuing Book Sale downstairs, which is probably one of the best places in town to find books. The books sold here are ones donated by the community, so there are two ways for you to help. Buying books and donating books.

If have books you'd like to donate, come by when the library is open (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday noon to 6 p.m.) and drop them off. You're welcome to bring in two boxes or bags of books per day. The Friends of the Library volunteers work before the library opens Wednesday through Friday to sort and clean books brought in. These books go into either the Continuing Book Sale downstairs or set aside to provide books for the October "Big Sale."

The "Big Sale" this year is October 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and October 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It coincides with the Apple Festival once again and is going to be another 2-in-1 sale. This means that there will be a section with individually priced books and a section with Bag Sale books. And there are some amazing books that are going to be available, one example, is a signed copy of American Gothic by Robert Bloch (the author of Psycho). More details will be coming as the sale gets closer.

If you'd like to join in and volunteer with the Friends of the Library, contact us at [email protected] or call (661) 750-2818.